Mangaluru: Mayor Manoj Kumar announced on Friday that agencies managing three sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Mangaluru face contract termination if their operations are not up to standard. Speaking during the monthly phone-in programme, he revealed that notices had already been served to the contractors and warned of blacklisting if deficiencies persisted. Talks are also underway to transfer the management of three STPs to MRPL.
The mayor emphasized strict penalties for contractors found discharging untreated sewage from STPs into stormwater drains. During inspections, several issues were identified. At the Pachanady STP, two non-functional pumps caused sewage to be diverted into a canal for a day, but repairs have since restored normalcy. At the Bajal STP, a damaged pipeline 30 feet underground led to sewage leakage into a nearby field, which is now being addressed.
Addressing allegations by the opposition Congress party, Mayor Kumar clarified that untreated sewage is not released into the river from MCC-managed STPs. He stated that only secondary treated water, meeting safety standards, is discharged downstream of the Thumbe vented dam.
The phone-in programme also saw citizens raising concerns about the city’s drainage system. Complaints ranged from sewage discharge into stormwater drains to the lack of underground drainage connections for many houses. The mayor assured that site inspections would be conducted, and steps taken based on feasibility.
On another issue, Kadri resident Pradeep highlighted the operation of unauthorized slaughterhouses in Mangaluru. The mayor confirmed that no slaughterhouses have official permission, noting the closure of the facility in Kudroli.
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